Anna Mae Mitz

Anna Mae Watson was born on October 19, 1922 in a small house on her grandfather’s cotton farm near Malden, Missouri. Her parents, Thomas and Rhoda (Adams) Watson moved Ann and her sisters, Geraldine and Dorothy, to Grand Rapids at a young age, when Tom found work at Widdicomb Furniture Company.

Growing up in the depression years and losing her mother at age 15, Ann learned to be frugal, resourceful, resilient and strong as well as to appreciate life.

As a teenager she took Jesus Christ as her Savior and was in her 80’s when she rededicated her life to Him and was baptized.

She met the love of her life, Lloyd Mitz, when they were 14 years old, married him in 1942, and loved and took care of him and their family for the next 73 years.

Ann and Lloyd enjoyed life to the fullest after he returned from World War II. She was a wonderful hostess, entertaining family and friends often with delicious food, innovative décor, and her own creatively decorated cakes. Any birthday, holiday or Saturday night was a reason to party ---to put on the records and dance. And could they dance! Right up until New Year’s Eve of 2014 when they surprised and wowed their friends and neighbors at the Covenant Village New Year’s Eve Celebration!

Summers were for camping up north and picnics at Grand Haven with family and friends. Sunday afternoons often found them loading the kids in the car for long, leisurely rides in the country, the whole family singing songs from the forties, in harmony --- Barbershop harmony!

Ann sang with the Sweet Adelines, Lloyd for the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. and one year they were named Mr. & Mrs. Barbershopper in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Grandchildren were a special blessing and legacy to Ann, and her grandchildren have many special memories of time spent at their cottage home on Winfield Lake. If they stayed a few days, Grandma had a fish fry, eating the fish they had caught.

Ann and Lloyd enjoyed traveling in their retirement years, visiting friends and family across the country in their motor home, finally settling in Weslaco, Texas for the winter months. They spent a lifetime making friends and many became lifetime friends.

Mom taught us how to live with an affirming love, steadfast faith and forgiving spirit, embracing life.

Now she’s taught us how to die – with dignity and grace, never complaining. She maintained her sense of humor and selfless spirit right to the end, responding when asked, “I’m alrighta – righta”.

She is. Wrapped in the Love of Jesus, waiting for us in Heaven.

As Dad says, “She’s an Angel”.